Do you believe in hell?

[Jagger69]

Hell as a popular concept was primarily a tool of the Catholic Church and was designed to keep potentially wayward peasants (and royalty as well) in line in the period following the fragmentation of the Roman Empire. If you believe in the compassionate, benevolent and forgiving God that is espoused in the New Testament, the idea of Hell makes no sense. And, if you believe in an all-knowing, all-powerful God, the very idea of the "Devil" and this parallel universe to Heaven called Hell is as preposterous as the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy.

Let's suppose it did exist. What would be its purpose in that case? As a place to "punish" those of us who displease God? Well, if God made us, why would He punish us for what was obviously HIS mistake??? No. It is an invention of those in power to scare the shit out of the masses. Its continued perpetuation as a place that many actually believe in only serves to prove that if you tell a huge lie long enough and often enough, people will believe it.

 

[wigster]

Hell as a popular concept was primarily a tool of the Catholic Church and was designed to keep potentially wayward peasants (and royalty as well) in line in the period following the fragmentation of the Roman Empire. If you believe in the compassionate, benevolent and forgiving God that is espoused in the New Testament, the idea of Hell makes no sense. And, if you believe in an all-knowing, all-powerful God, the very idea of the "Devil" and this parallel universe to Heaven called Hell is as preposterous as the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy.

Let's suppose it did exist. What would be its purpose in that case? As a place to "punish" those of us who displease God? Well, if God made us, why would He punish us for what was obviously HIS mistake??? No. It is an invention of those in power to scare the shit out of the masses. Its continued perpetuation as a place that many actually believe in only serves to prove that if you tell a huge lie long enough and often enough, people will believe it.

I take it thats a no then

 

[AFA]

I had understood that Hell was supposed to be an area outside the walls of ancient Jerusalem which was more or less a garbage dump. As the bodies of dead criminals were tossed there, it was kept burning to get rid of them and keep the smell down.

 

[BNF]

(^You're talking about Naples, not Jerusalem.^)

Can't be heaven without hell.
Can't have day without night.

It's yin and yang and yes I do.

 

[dave_rhino]

Male or female, Do you believe in hell? Why or why not?

I don't understand why you had to point out the question was for a male or a female... Do you think that if you hadn't put that the answers would could out any different?



I suppose if you believe in hell, you have to believe in heaven too, and some kind of afterlife. I'm not sure, I'd like to believe it, but I think it's something you shouldn't bother thinking about too much. Either way, you're still going to die.

 

[ERC LL KK 4]

I don't like to think that there's such a thing as hell. If we were created by some higher power, then why not look out for us and guide everyone down their final paths? I think there is something waiting for us when we pass on, but I don't want to think of hell being a possibility.

 

[Jagger69]

I take it thats a no then

Your conclusion is correct. By the way, just to be consistent, I don't believe in "Heaven" either....for pretty much the same reasons I don't believe in Hell.

 

[Chrism86354]

of course hell isnt real, its just a fictional place created to scare people into believing in this religion

 

[Facetious]

As my daddy used to say . . . better play it safe !

 

[thegunner]

Hell as a popular concept was primarily a tool of the Catholic Church and was designed to keep potentially wayward peasants (and royalty as well) in line in the period following the fragmentation of the Roman Empire. If you believe in the compassionate, benevolent and forgiving God that is espoused in the New Testament, the idea of Hell makes no sense. And, if you believe in an all-knowing, all-powerful God, the very idea of the "Devil" and this parallel universe to Heaven called Hell is as preposterous as the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy.

Let's suppose it did exist. What would be its purpose in that case? As a place to "punish" those of us who displease God? Well, if God made us, why would He punish us for what was obviously HIS mistake??? No. It is an invention of those in power to scare the shit out of the masses. Its continued perpetuation as a place that many actually believe in only serves to prove that if you tell a huge lie long enough and often enough, people will believe it.

Goes for religion in general too.

 

[benedum]

You're thinking of Gahenna....and that WAS a garbage dump. The term was used by Jesus to describe people's worthless 'good works' going all for naught and being throw out to be burned in Gahenna. Good works without believing in Jesus and redemption are just that....garbage

 

[Muire]

So if all my good deeds are worthless because I don't believe in jesus. Does that mean all my bad deeds don't count for anything either?

 

[Becks...poamr]

Yes. I live there. :tongue:

 

[cartman24]

I believe in Hell, Michigan :thumbsup:

 

[D-rock]

Well, if God made us, why would He punish us for what was obviously HIS mistake???

I'm not arguing for or against religion or even a hell here, but I have heard that line before and the philosophy behind it is faulty in my opinion. In a view of most religions any flaws people have are a consequence of being given free will. That statement has always sounded like a bad attempt to divert blame...unless the people that say it are tying to say free will is also a mistake, which would be surprising ironic since the majority of those people would probably also think life meaningless without it.

 

[snoopy63]

Of course hell is real... full of goblins and demons and weird torture practices. Makes perfect sense to me!

I like Milton's writing that we all carry heaven and hell within us. But as far as there being such a dualistic afterlife, I seriously doubt it.

 

[CptHa]

Of course I believe in Hell. It's in Michigan, just like Cartman said. Here's driving directions from Detroit:http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...roit&1s=MI&1z=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Hell&2s=MI&2z=&r=f

 

[Legzman]

Goes for religion in general too.

Ah, yes good ol religion. A collection of made up gobbly gook! Force fed to thousands of generations by their parents in an attempt to scare the shit outta kids so they behave themselves.

Funny how it also causes wars!

 

[radomu]

I think hell is a tool that Christianity use to gain more converts

 

[boink83]

couldn't say that i believe in hell;
but lots of people talked about it...
"the thruth is out there..."